The much-anticipated, fourth season premiere of AMC’s Mad Men aired last night. I got very excited when I saw the episode was titled “Public Relations.” I wondered how this new classic, highly dramatized show would portray my profession. I’m not going to review the program itself – the characters or plot or beautiful set design. I’ll leave that to the TV writers. But I would like to reflect on some of the questions the show raised about PR. I wasn’t expecting much, as the show is set in the early 1960’s. And so much has changed in marketing in general. Still, I believe the episode illustrated what seems to exist very much still today: A distant appreciation yet misunderstanding of PR, even by (in this case) knowledgeable advertising executives.
As the reluctant public face of the new agency, Don Draper had to do a couple of media interviews. These interviews were, no doubt, intended to help shape the public image of the agency, give insight to his creative process, and frame the company’s business goals from its leader’s perspective. Readers would want to know what makes creative director Don Draper “tick.” Interestingly, the otherwise brilliant Draper failed miserably in his interview with Advertising Age. His partners were furious with the resulting article. So what media relations mistakes did Don make?
Posted in: Business Thoughts, Marketing, Media
Tags: Marketing, Mass Media, Media Relations, media training, public relations
In a recent Harris Interactive Poll, it was revealed that one-third of Americans indicate they use social media as an “outlet to rant or rave about a company, brand or product.” This is no surprise, as the online world has, since its inception, provided us with yet another space to express our positive/negative sentiments about…well, anything.
Companies in particular, though, have taken note as more and more brands are popping up on social networks. It is essentially becoming the norm, as a Facebook page is to a business what websites were a decade ago. However, just because everyone is getting in on the action doesn’t mean they are doing it right. Far too often, I come across pages where the creators just don’t “get” it. Here are a few basic guidelines to keep you from committing the Facebook page “faux pas” and help get you on track.
Posted in: Social Media
Tags: Branding, Facebook, Fan Page, Social Media, Social Networking
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 marked the first ever National Social Media Day. Mashable.com declared the “holiday” in celebration of the many ways that social media affects our lives. When I he
ard that over 340 events were taking place across the USA, I decided that Palm Beach County (I am a PBC girl myself) should put together an event to mark the occasion. Next thing I knew I was joined by an incredible team of volunteers who joined me in creating what ended being a history making event (#SMDayFL).
109 people gathered at The Funky Buddha Lounge in Boca Raton to commemorate Palm Beach County’s First National Social Media Day Event, making it the largest non-corporate social media gathering in Palm Beach County’s History, surpassing the previous record of 70 attendees!
Posted in: Social Media
During a 10-hour flight I finally succumbed and lost my iPhone app virginity. The cute little app that enticed me determined whether you are left-brained (analytical and logical), right-brained (artistic), or Golden-brained meaning having equal portions of both. Of course I expected to be a golden brain since I am a strategic thinker but have been known to have a creative thought or two in my day. But after three tries, the results were the same — I am left-brained. I guess I should have known by the fact that in my family I stand alone as a Blackberry user in a sea of iPhones. It was after all the more practical choice.
I gave my daughter the phone back without a second thought of trying any of the other 40 or 50 apps, uneasy after my first experience. Then I remembered the popularity of the Magic 8 ball or oujji board from when I was a kid. Same level of chance and idle fun and I thought, ah, same experience, new technology. But apps aren’t just for kids. My husband proudly showed me his glow stick app. You could shake the phone and change the colors of the neon glow. In Europe, his GPS app was our primary navigation tool. A niece showed me her “mirror” app that meant she could dump the compact mirror and use her phone to touch up her lipstick. Yet, I stubbornly hold on to my Blackberry whose only apps are my Twitter and Facebook access tools.
Posted in: Social Media
Typically, we’ve been told to avoid discussing politics and religion in social gatherings or with new acquaintances. Yet, we liberally (pun intended) identify our political views on Facebook and follow and re-tweet political leaders on Twitter.
The marriage of social media and politics is on the rise as political leaders are increasingly embracing these digital communication methods to connect with their constituents and with the world.
With access to the Internet and the click of a button, anyone from anywhere in the world can speak their mind (in 140 characters or less) to several political leaders and governments.
Posted in: Social Media
Tags: Activism, Authenticity, Hugo Chavez, political communication, Politicians, Politics, Twitter
Have you ever gone to a party and realized you don’t know anyone? Maybe you find yourself standing against the wall eavesdropping on other people’s interesting conversations. Do you stay and try to ease your way into the circle? Do you just start talking and hope people will listen? Or do you just leave the party?
This is the way many of us feel when starting up a social media account. It is intimidating to have zero friends on Facebook, no followers on Twitter and just good old faithful Tom on Myspace. Even though we all begin on an even playing field, some people rack up friends and followers faster than others and as you start to traverse your way through the digital realm you will see why. Just like many networking events, parties or any high school on the planet, there are cliques and “in crowds” in social media.
Posted in: Social Media
Tags: Cliques, Community, Digital PR, Social Networking
Every four years, a sporting event comes around that takes the whole world by storm. We’re not talking about the Olympics and don’t even try to make the argument for American football overseas. Sure, the Super Bowl is a large affair but the sport I’m referring to is soccer; the real “futbol.” Yes, folks, today marks the official start of the largest sporting event in the world…it’s time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup!
Posted in: Social Media
Tags: Entertainment, Facebook, Foursquare, Mobile, Social Media, Social Networking, Sports, Twitter, World Cup, YouTube
Fellow PR folks: Looks like I’ll finally be able to explain to my father (plus, plus, plus) why my name is nowhere to be found in that great New York Times article or any of the other stories I’ve so proudly shared (not just talking about ink here)…
In one of today’s routine Twitter searches, I bumped into a great post by Michael Snyder (via @PublicityGuru): The 7 deadly sins of PR (2010 edition). Thanks guys! Snyder hits it over the head, telling anyone that’d care to listen that PR is not just about “grand openings or ‘getting something in the paper.’” PR is powerful when done right and really, really bad when done wrong – think I’ve said that before.
So in the essence of shedding light, I share: http://bit.ly/9q5aIk. I think this covers it…
Now, explain to your parents. Go!
Posted in: Business Thoughts
Tags: New York Times, Twitter
If you haven’t already heard, last week was quite an exciting one at rbb. In addition to winning the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s “Good to Great” award (small business category), we also won a PRSA Silver Anvil in Crisis Communication. The “Oscars of the PR Industry,” the Anvils are one of the PR industry’s most coveted awards, and Crisis Communication is one of the most difficult and competitive categories.
The award was given for the “Flu-free guarantee,” a Travel and Tourism PR campaign conducted with client AMResorts. For those keeping track, this was the same campaign that also won a Silver Sabre from The Holmes Report in the Travel and Tourism PR category.
Posted in: rbb News
Today, rbb got married. After a long friendship and then a fairly brief courtship, we made it legal and acquired Haber & Quinn Public Relations & Marketing, a Fort Lauderdale based agency specializing in the marine and healthcare industries. John Quinn and Geri Haber have been friends of the firm for quite some time – a really long time. Geri was one of the first faces I saw when I came to work at Bruce Rubin Associates 20 years ago. Yes, she was only 12 at the time. John came down from New York a few years later and we’ve stayed in touch for 17 years. The wedding was an informal affair and witnessed by staff from both sides. The rbb family has now grown to include Mary, Emily and Lon and of course a slew of great clients. Everyone is getting along and I’m glad to say our blended family is just one big happy “Brady” bunch.
Posted in: rbb News
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